TINY Kitana Ryce was struck down by a tick so badly she could not breathe, walk or talk.

The Gold Coast four-year-old spent nearly three weeks in hospital after an Australian paralysis tick released toxins into her body over a few days.

Parents Brad and Marylyn initially were told Kitana would recover in less than 48 hours while being monitored at Gold Coast Hospital. But when her condition did not improve, she was moved to intensive care at Brisbane's Mater Children's Hospital. The hospital sees about two cases related to tick bites a year.

Mrs Ryce said Kitana started complaining of a sore ear on November 14 and was treated for an ear infection before she found the tick embedded in her daughter's scalp three days later. The youngster was put on antibiotics before being rushed to hospital.

"In the morning I woke up to her coming into our room saying she kept falling over on the way," Mrs Ryce said.

"Then she fell back on the mattress and said, 'Mum, I can see two of you'."

Only adult female Australian paralysis ticks produce enough toxin to cause paralysis. Adults are unlikely to become paralysed by a bite.

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